New Mexico's Rio Hondo Land and Cattle Barbary Sheep (Aoudad) Hunts. This 100,000+ deeded acre wildlife mecca is located in SE New Mexico and encompasses the fertile bottom lands of the Hondo River, as it meanders toward Roswell. Wildlife on this ranch is managed by Troy Omness.

Where do Barbary sheep live in New Mexico?

Barbary sheep live in rough open country. In southeastern New Mexico, most of the Barbary sheep habitat consists of the rocky open foothills and escarpments of the Sacramento and Guadalupe Mountains. The sheep also are found in some of the major canyons and drainages north of the Capitan Mountains and north of Roswell.

Where can I find Barbary sheep?

Barbary sheep are found in northern Africa, from Morocco and the Western Sahara, east to Sudan and Egypt. They were introduced into Europe, including Germany and Italy, and into the United States. They live in arid hill and mountainous areas.

How do you hunt Barbary sheep in New Mexico?

Private-land Only Barbary Sheep Licenses

To hunt on private land only, hunters must obtain a private-land only Barbary sheep license and tag—available at NMDGF offices, license vendors, online and by telephone.

Are Barbary sheep native to New Mexico?

Barbary sheep live in small groups comprised of old and young animals of both sexes. They are capable of surviving long periods without access to fresh water. They were introduced as a non-native species into the wild of New Mexico in the 1950's.

Best Tips For Hunting Barbary Sheep In New Mexico - Units 32 & 34

Where are Barbary sheep from?

Ammotragus lervia is endemic to the mountains of Northern Africa. It has also survived in the mountains and canyons of the dry southwestern United States. Barbary sheep live in the desert mountains from sea level up to the edge of the snows. Barbary sheep are also well adapted to a dry climate.

Are there bighorn sheep in New Mexico?

Today, there are about 1,300 desert bighorn sheep across eight herds and around 1,700 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep across 11 herds in the alpine ranges of northern New Mexico. ... The most significant threat to bighorn sheep today is domestic sheep and goats.

Are Oryx native to New Mexico?

Native to the Kalahari Desert, the African oryx, or gemsbok (Oryx gazella), is a large antelope that now lives in southern New Mexico. ... The African Barbary sheep was introduced on land near Picacho, New Mexico. It too is now well established and has expanded its range.

Are Aoudads aggressive?

Aggressive Behavior: TPWD personnel maintain that aoudads are aggressive toward bighorns. On the Circle Ranch, we have aoudads and bighorns as well as elk, pronghorn, mule deer, llamas, cattle, alpaca and burros. Pictured above are aoudad and bighorn sheep grazing together on winter grass.

Are Aoudads nocturnal?

The aoudad is a very agile climber and powerful jumper that resides high in dry, mountainous or rocky terrain and is active during dawn and dusk while resting in shade during the heat of the day.

Are Barbary sheep good eating?

My experience has been that Barbary sheep/aoudad are really good. Have eaten both rams and ewes. I get them skinned and cooled as fast as possible and do my own butchering. It's better than oryx, in my opinion.

What kind of sheep are in New Mexico?

About 1,700 Rocky Mountain and 1,100 desert bighorn sheep roam throughout New Mexico, according to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists. Prior to European colonization, biologists estimate that 1.5 million bighorn lived in North America.

How do you hunt oryx in New Mexico?

To hunt oryx in New Mexico, residents and nonresidents must first purchase a Game-hunting or Game-hunting and Fishing License before purchasing a Private Land-only Deer License or applying for a Deer Draw License.

How did IBEX get to New Mexico?

In 1970, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) imported 15 Persian ibex from Iran and released them in the Florida Mountains near Deming, New Mexico. ... By 1974, the first Persian ibex hunt in the Florida Mountains was offered to the public, and one to two hunts have been conducted every year since.

Does New Mexico have OTC deer tags?

Hunters may buy the Game Hunting license, the Habitat Stamp and the Habitat Management Access Validation by logging into their account and clicking the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses, Permits and Stamps link under License Sales 2020.

Can you buy over the counter elk tags in New Mexico?

California, Nevada and New Mexico do not offer any OTC Elk tags, so all elk tags in these states are limited entry only. Some of the OTC tags are not limited except in certain units, while other tags may be limited state-wide.

Where do the bighorn sheep live in New Mexico?

The success of New Mexico's bighorn sheep program has created expanded opportunities for both wildlife viewers and hunters. The state has one of the most accessible wild sheep herds in the world along the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos.

Are there Dall sheep in New Mexico?

New Mexico Dahl Sheep come in colors other than white. Some are gray, or brown or speckled. The rams grow to between 200 and 275 pounds and have long horns with massive bases.

Are there wild goats in New Mexico?

Wild Goats, often referred to as Persian Ibex or Bezoar Goats, were imported from Iran and released in 1970 on the isolated Florida Mountains, which includes Spring Canyon State Park, of southern New Mexico. The Florida Mountains near Deming are the only place in the US where these Wild Goats roam freely.

Is aoudad good to eat?

Aoudad meat is edible. When prepared properly, it can be tasty even. ... Even though aoudad are technically a goat/antelope subspecies, everyone in Texas just calls them sheep. Most of the knowledgeable people I've talked to about aoudad hunting said that I couldn't eat the meat.

What is the cheapest sheep to hunt?

Moving out of the Lower 48 for the moment, let's start with Dall sheep, as they are the most abundant sheep and as a result, the least expensive sheep to hunt. Prices for most Dall sheep hunts range from $15,000 - $25,000.

Where can I get aoudad?

They do not depend on reliable water sources but when available they will take full advantage of water holes and often can be found wallowing in any mud they can find. Aoudad Sheep continue to thrive in Texas and now occupy most mountainous regions from West Texas to Del Rio and the Texas Panhandle.